Conformance Level - High
This procedure most closely duplicates the physical characteristics of the original, and most probably complies with all the functional, environmental and serviceability factors.

Figure 1: Mill away the damaged board base material using a Micro-Drill System and ball mill.

Figure 2: Apply epoxy to the edges of the key slot using a mixing stick or micro-probe.

Figure 3: Completed key slot repair.

Figure 4: Micro-Drill System.

Procedure

Clean the area to be filled, including the edges.

Mill away the damaged board base material using a micro-drill system and ball mill. All damaged base board material must be removed. No fibers of laminate material should be exposed at the surface of the keyslot. (See Figure 1)

Note
To clearly see that all damaged material has been removed, flood the area with alcohol or solvent. Damaged internal fibers of the base material will show up clearly.

Caution
Abrasion operations can generate electrostatic charges.

Remove all loose material and clean the area.

Apply high temperature tape to the surface of the circuit board adjacent to the slot. The tape should protect any adjacent contacts or components.

Note
The circuit board may be preheated prior to filling the area with epoxy. A preheated circuit board will allow the epoxy to easily flow and level out. Epoxy applied to an unheated circuit board may settle below the circuit board surface as the epoxy cures.

Mix the epoxy. If desired, add color agent to the mixed epoxy to match the circuit board color.

Apply a small amount of epoxy to the edges of the slot. A mixing stick sharpened at the end, or micro-probe may be used. (See Figure 2)

Note
A slight overfill of epoxy may be desired to allow for shrinkage when epoxy cures.

Note
The circuit board may be turned on its side to keep the epoxy in place while it cures.

Cure the epoxy per Procedure 2.7 Epoxy Mixing and Handling.

Caution
Some components may be sensitive to high temperature.

After the epoxy has cured remove the tape.

If needed use a knife or scraper and scrape off any excess epoxy.

If precision is required, machine the edges of the slot using a milling machine or precision drill system and appropriate milling cutter. Use great care to correctly relocate the slot.

Color Agents
One part, air-drying, semi-paste ink for printing on hard surfaces and used to tint the color of epoxy.

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Customer Comments"We've never had much luck sending our highly complex boards out for repair until we started using Circuit Technology Center. It's obvious that you must have the very best equipment and a highly qualified staff." N.R. Montreal, Quebec, Canada